Navjot Singh Sidhu, BJP MP has called off his fast-unto-death after receiving a written assurance from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The fast was announced by him on Friday as a protest against the halt in the payment of development funds for his Amritsar constituency. He said that Badal has assured him that the project will be completed within the said period of time. The three-time MP said that he has been forced to take this step because there was no other option and he can do anything for the betterment of the people of his constituency. On Friday when he put forward his decision of fast, Sidhu had neither criticized nor said anything against anybody. He said that party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh had asked him not to say anything and to remain silent. Adding to this he said that all this won’t stop him performing his duty towards Amritsar. On the other hand Badal had said that the entire matter could be sorted out in a friendly manner without such act. Sidhu had come back to Amritsar earlier this month after a period of eight months. Sidhu has been charged for spending more time on shooting and cricket commentary than his constituency by his opposition.

28-Sep-2013Others

One injured in an open fire in Srinagar

An open fire by the militants on a convoy of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir has injured one. The open fire on the vehicles of the security forces was done in the outskirts of Srinagar on Saturday. During the fire a civilian was injured. The entire area is now under investigation to nab the militants accountable for the act. In the meantime, not so known group Shohada Brigade claimed the responsibility of firing act and further said that two activists were involved in the firing. This has been told by the spokesperson of the group, Shamsul Haq on telephone to PTI. Along with this, the group had also stated that twin terror strikes on a police station and an Army Camp in Jammu on Thursday were also done by them. In that attack ten persons including the Lt Col of Army died. A police station at Kathua and an army camp in Samba districts had been attacked by the terrorists on Thursday. During the attack three terrorists were also shot dead at Samba army camp. Terrorist attack is common in Jammu and Kashmir.

28-Sep-2013Business

Unlisted Indian companies can now directly list in overseas market

Indian government is struggling hard to overcome the present account deficit condition. For this many new polices have been put into practice and also government is encouraging dollar inflow. With the same objective, government has now allowed the unlisted Indian companies to directly list in overseas markets and raise capital abroad. Taken as a pilot project, this has been allowed for two years. According to present scenario, Indian companies first have to list in Indian market before or simultaneously with their listing in overseas market. But now they can directly list in markets abroad. As per finance ministry, while raising resources overseas, the listing companies must completely abide the existing FDI policy. Money raised must be sent back to India within 15 days in case the funds raised abroad are not utilized there. RBI has recognized certain banks in AD category to park these funds. This is an attempt by the government to test the overseas market especially for the Indian companies for whom raising resources at home is difficult. To put listing process into practice, the notification will soon be issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the finance ministry and the department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). This is a kind of freedom that government is giving to the Indian companies and at the same time testing the foreign markets.

28-Sep-2013Sports

Virat Kohli leaves behind Dhoni and Sachin in endorsement

As far as endorsement and earning from advertisements is concerned, our cricket superstars are at number one position. Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar were earning a lot from advertising but Virat Kohli is now the top most earner. He has come out as the highest earner from advertisement. Adidas earlier had a contract with Sachin who was the face of this band in India. But now this German brand has signed three years contract with Virat Kohli making him their brand ambassador in India. Each year 10 crore will be paid to Kohli. It is estimated that total worth of the deal is 6.5 crore and this will make Kohli above Sachin and Dhoni as far as endorsement worth is considered. Kohli is a new brand boy in cricket after Sachin and Dhoni.

28-Sep-2013Entertainment

Ranveer Singh has been diagnosed with severe dengue

Ranveer Singh whose upcoming movie Ram Leela is much in news has been diagnosed with a severe case of dengue. He has been admitted to a suburban hospital. It is the same hospital from where legendary actor Dilip Kumar was discharged a day before. Ranveer got infection that resulted in high fever while shooting for a movie Gunday in Durgapur. A thorough professional actor did not want the production work to suffer so he continued shooting for the same. A workaholic Ranveer usually does not take break from his busy schedule. Though he was uncomfortable and complained of illness but continued working in spite of this. When he returned back to Mumbai he was diagnosed with severe case of Dengue. Doctors are really surprised by the actor as despite such a bad condition he kept working. Doctors have also said that though Ranveer is in absolutely positive state of mind but how much time will he take to recover is not clear. The illness and hospitalization at suburban hospital has been confirmed by the Yash Raj Films which is producing Gunday. Hope he get well soon and resume his work for the entertainment industry.

28-Sep-2013Science and Technology

Science and technology in India need more investment

There is a dire need of change of mindset and introspection if India wants to go ahead of China in science and technology. This has been said by the Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari while releasing a book “Science and Technology in China: Implications and Lessons for India”. The book belongs to the Observer Research Foundation and consists of papers written by reputed scientists and edited by Mr M. Rasgotra. Ansari said that number of PhD students in science are decreasing in number as compared to China, as around 1985 the number was higher in India but by 1995 China crossed India. Ansari also said that it must be found out that why today’s youth is no longer interested in research in science and technology. This must be introspected along with a change in mindset so as to make more contribution and improvement in research in science and technology. Though it is natural to compare China and India but their uniformity and our diversity must be taken into account. As per former Foreign Secretary Maharaj K. Rasgotra, decline in the number of students enrolling for science has been seen in the last 25 years. Whereas in the same period China has made a huge contribution in science and technology. This has led to its economic as well as overall growth. With competency just in Software cannot make nation a world power. India should make more investment in scientific research for development.